Travel Nursing Packing Tips

Packing for a travel nursing assignment is slightly different than packing for a typical trip. Because the average assignment length is about three months, you are somewhere in between a traveler and a permanent resident. In a perfect world, you would be able to travel with all of your comforts from home, but unfortunately, that might not always be feasible. Every nurse has unique needs, but the following tips can be useful when you begin preparing for your assignment.

Establish How Long You Plan to be on Assignment
Most travel nursing assignments span from four (4), six (6), eight (8), thirteen (13), and twenty-six (26) weeks. It is also possible that you will extend your current assignment or go immediately to your next one upon completion. Knowing how long you plan on being away from home is great first step because this will help you determine your packing strategy.

Pack for Where You’re going
Different locations have different climates, weather conditions, and recreational activities. We suggest that you do a little research on the area to ensure that you are packing the appropriate clothing and materials for your surroundings. This will help you make the best of your stay.

Determine the Items You Use Most Frequently
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to the items they value. For example, some nurses may be avid readers or exercise enthusiasts. Listing the items that you use on a daily basis will help make sure you have everything you need while on assignment.

Consider Compression Bags to Conserve Space
If you’re like me, you might pack a few more outfits than you need. Compression bags allow you to pack more in the same amount of space!

Think About Packing an Electronic Accessories
We’ve all been in situations where we can’t find our phone charger, headphones, Apple TV remote, etc. These types of organizers keep all of those little pieces in one place, so they don’t get lost.

Clear Storage Totes Are Great for Traveling
Since many travel nurses drive to their assignments, it makes sense to pack clear totes instead of traditional boxes. First of all, they are much sturdier. Secondly, you can see what’s in them, so you don’t have to scramble looking for your possessions.

We understand that traveling can be an adjustment but having your things with you can help ease the transition. Keeping this in mind, BluePipes has some great suggestions for how you can make the most of your packing experience.